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WO1998036959A2 - Procede servant a assembler et a renforcer des cadres de bicyclette en plastique moule - Google Patents

Procede servant a assembler et a renforcer des cadres de bicyclette en plastique moule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998036959A2
WO1998036959A2 PCT/US1998/003304 US9803304W WO9836959A2 WO 1998036959 A2 WO1998036959 A2 WO 1998036959A2 US 9803304 W US9803304 W US 9803304W WO 9836959 A2 WO9836959 A2 WO 9836959A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stay
frame
leg
elements
tubular
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/003304
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1998036959A3 (fr
Inventor
Robert L. Benoit
Glenn L. Spacht
Richard A. Bennett
William F. Fahey
Bernard I. Rachowitz
Original Assignee
Ngb Technologies
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ngb Technologies filed Critical Ngb Technologies
Priority to AU67569/98A priority Critical patent/AU6756998A/en
Publication of WO1998036959A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998036959A2/fr
Publication of WO1998036959A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998036959A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/18—Joints between frame members
    • B62K19/22—Adhesive joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/02—Cycle frames characterised by material or cross-section of frame members
    • B62K19/16—Cycle frames characterised by material or cross-section of frame members the material being wholly or mainly of plastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00—Cycle frames
    • B62K19/18—Joints between frame members
    • B62K19/28—Means for strengthening joints

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of joining and reinforcing molded frames. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of joining molded halves of a bicycle frame without requiring alignment elements on the frame halves, yet providing a sturdy connection between the frame halves. The present invention further relates to a method of reinforcing high stress areas in a bicycle frame formed from molded frame halves.
  • Bicycle frames generally are formed from substantially hollow tubular frame elements connected together in a manner depending on the material and manner of formation of the tubular elements.
  • the tubular elements When the tubular elements are formed from a lightweight metal, such as aluminum, the metal is generally cast into a single-piece tubular element. Several such tubular elements are connected together, such as by welding or gluing, to form the frame of the bicycle.
  • the tubular elements When the tubular elements are formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic or composite material, the elements typically are adhesively bonded into lugs. Alternatively, composite lugs may be formed over the pre-fabricated composite tubular elements. Because all of the tubular elements must be joined together to form the finished bicycle, formation of a bicycle frame from tubular elements is rather labor intensive. Additionally, the lugs or joints with which the tubular elements are joined must be relatively thick and heavy in order to provide a secure connection between the elements.
  • a method that eliminates the use of multiple parts that must be joined to form a finished bicycle frame involves the formation of an inflation-cured, one-piece hollow shell.
  • This method uses composite materials typically composed of structural fibers (such as carbon fiber and fiberglass) and thermoset resins (such as epoxy) which are placed around an inflatable bladder (formed from materials such as a nylon film) or an expandable material (such as a heat-expandable foam).
  • the assembly is placed in a cavity mold and either the bladder is inflated or the heat applied to cure the thermoset resin causes the expandable material to expand.
  • the fiber and resin are thus pressed by the expanding base structure (the bladder or expandable material) against the cavity mold walls and thereby conformed to the shape of the mold during the curing of the resin.
  • the mold is opened and the frame is removed, with the bladder or expandable material permanently remaining on the interior walls of the frame. Because the fibers are only strong in the fiber direction (either one or two directions, depending on the fiber tape or cloth available), several fiber layers, each having a different directional orientation, must be used in order to result in the desired frame structural strength. The resulting wall thickness is relatively thick, particularly in bent or angled areas (generally at the areas where joints are used in a frame formed from several tubular elements), and the frame is thus heavy, even though relatively heavy lugs or joints are not used. Because the frame remains in the mold for several hours (making the mold unavailable for use in forming another frame), and several layers must be applied, production costs typically are more expensive than for joined- tubing frames.
  • a bicycle frame that avoids many of the above-described disadvantages of prior art frames is formed from two molded partial shells that are joined to form a hollow finished frame.
  • Such molded elements are typically formed from a material, such as plastic or carbon fiber, that is molded into open-sided halves because of the molding process.
  • Each half has a plurality of interconnected half-tubes, each half-tube having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal free edges extending along the longitudinal axis of the respective half-tube.
  • the two half-frames are connected together, such as by gluing, along the free edges to form the completed, formed frame of the bicycle.
  • the longitudinal free edges of bicycle half-frames are typically provided with alignment elements that facilitate alignment of the half-frames so that the exterior of the formed frame is substantially smooth.
  • alignment elements may include pins in one half and corresponding receiving holes in the other half, such as shown in U.S. Patent 5,465,240 to Robinson et al.
  • These alignment elements are rather small because of the thinness of the walls of the tubular elements, and thus are relatively difficult to manufacture without defects. Occasionally there are manufacturing defects that result in too many pins or not enough holes. In that case, the additional pins must be cut off, thus requiring yet another assembly step.
  • alignment of the frame halves requires the additional step of aligning the relatively small pins with their corresponding holes. Such alignment is time consuming and therefore labor intensive. Another disadvantage of using small pins is that they may break before or during alignment.
  • half-frames of a bicycle are glued together at their adjoining longitudinal free edges to form a glued butt joint.
  • the glue spreads along the edges, as usual.
  • the glue often extends past the abutting edges to the exterior of the tubes (the rounded exterior of the frame visible to the consumer/user).
  • the exterior of the now joined frame halves must be cleaned or smoothed to improve the appearance of the frame.
  • the frame can then be painted in the usual manner.
  • Bicycles frames that are formed from molded half-frames also typically include internal reinforcements, such as the protrusions or webs and corresponding slots shown in the above-mentioned Robinson Patent. As with the pins and holes, the internal reinforcements also make manufacture of the halves, and their connection to each other, more complicated. Moreover, although such reinforcement elements add to the strength of the frame, they also add to the weight of the frame, thereby making the bicycle heavier and thus more difficult to ride.
  • a reinforcement box Another reinforcement element that may be provided is a reinforcement "box.”
  • Reinforcement boxes may be formed as substantially tubular elements that extend from the interior surface of a frame half for connection with a corresponding box in a corresponding frame half.
  • the box has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the half-tubular element of the frame half from which the box extends, and thus the connected corresponding boxes form a reinforcing element that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the completed frame.
  • a reinforcement box may be provided at any desired location.
  • a box is at least provided in the chain stay area and in the seat stay area adjacent the adjoining tubes (i.e., the bottom bracket shell and seat tube, respectively).
  • a method of joining and reinforcing molded half-frames of a tubular frame e.g., a bicycle frame.
  • This method simplifies the joining of the frame halves.
  • the design and shape of the frame halves are also simplified, such that the manufacture of the frame halves is easier and thus less costly.
  • the longitudinally extending free edges of the halves i.e., the edges of the half-tubular elements that abut each other upon connecting the frame halves together
  • the longitudinally extending free edges of the halves i.e., the edges of the half-tubular elements that abut each other upon connecting the frame halves together
  • each step having a substantially planar, smooth surface along the longitudinal axis of its respective tubular element.
  • At least one of the longitudinally extending free edges of one of the halves may be formed as a groove, the corresponding longitudinally extending free edge of the other half being formed as a tongue for fitting into the groove. Because the free edges are substantially planar in the longitudinal direction, and do not have projecting pins as in the prior art, longitudinal alignment is simple and requires little effort. Additionally, the shape of the corresponding longitudinal free edges of the frame halves facilitates inward driving of the glue used to couple the halves together towards the interior of the joined halves, thereby reducing the finishing steps of smoothing the frame's exterior surface required before painting the frame.
  • a reinforcing element is preferably provided in the stay area of the frame, i.e., in the seat stay area and the chain stay area.
  • the reinforcing element may take the form of an arch fitted between the elements forming the seat and chain stays.
  • the reinforcing element may be inherent in the design of the inner seat and chain stay elements.
  • the inner seat and chain stay elements may be formed as a single piece, preferably with a box element extending into the remainder of the bicycle frame and thus between the outer elements of the seat and chain stays.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle frame formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view, along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 , of a tubular element of the frame of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross sectional view of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of another portion of the cross sectional view of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of a seat stay having a reinforcement element in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of a seat stay, similar to that of Fig. 5, but having a modified reinforcement element
  • Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of a seat stay having a reinforced inner seat stay in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of a chain stay having a reinforced inner chain stay similar to the inner seat stay of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, along line 9-9 of Fig. 1, of an optional reinforcement element that may be provided in the stay legs of the frame of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 A bicycle frame 10, formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and having a plurality of intersecting tubular elements with respective intersecting longitudinal axes, is shown in Fig. 1.
  • Frame 10 is formed from left and right half-frames 12, 14 (Fig. 2), each of which is preferably formed from a molded material. Most preferably, the half-frames are formed from injection molded plastic. However, any other desired material may be used, such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, polyurethane, metal (e.g. aluminum or titanium) or reinforced composite materials having, for example, a resin or epoxy matrix. Because the frame is formed by molding the material, the frame must be formed in halves that are later connected to form an integral frame structure.
  • Each frame half has a plurality of interconnected half-tubular elements having respective longitudinal axes, and each half-tubular element of one frame half 12 has a corresponding half-tubular element in the other frame half 14, such that the corresponding half-tubular elements of the half-frames may be coupled together to form a completed bicycle frame 10.
  • Each half-tubular element has an interior surface 16 that is typically concave and an exterior surface 18 that is typically convex, such that connection of corresponding half-tubular elements forms a substantially tubular element.
  • Each half-tubular element has longitudinally extending free edges 20 between interior and exterior surfaces 16, 18 and along which the half-tubular elements are joined.
  • each frame half 12, 14 is preferably a monolithic, one-piece element, such that the formed frame 10 comprises two elements joined to form an integral unit.
  • longitudinal free edges 20 of corresponding half-tubular elements of frame halves 12, 14 are shaped to smoothly interengage with each other and thereby facilitate smooth, easy alignment and joining of the frames halves 12, 14.
  • adjoining free edges 20 preferably have multilevel interengaging surfaces, each surface being substantially smooth and planar along longitudinal axis 32 of the respective half-tubular element along which the free edges 20 extend.
  • free edges 20 do not have projecting elements such as pins that must be carefully aligned with corresponding receiving elements in the edge of the corresponding frame half. Exemplary edge joints are shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • a lap splice joint 22 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is provided in the lower portion of tubular element 24 (in this case, the down tube of frame 10) shown in Fig. 2.
  • lap splice joint 22 is formed by shaping the longitudinal free edges 20 to have corresponding stepped surfaces that interengage with each other.
  • “Stepping”, as defined herein, is a shape that extends in a direction from a lower step to an upper step, wherein the steps have step surfaces (equivalent to the tread of a step) substantially tangent to the exterior and interior surfaces of the tubular elements.
  • the stepping of the edges is formed in the radial direction such that longitudinal free edges 20 are not planar in the direction extending from the interior surface 16 to the exterior surface 18, yet each stepped surface is substantially smooth and planar in the longitudinal direction.
  • Lap splice joint 22 has at least one stepped surface 26 (a "tread") substantially tangent to exterior surface 18 and thus, typically also interior surface 16, an inner substantially radially extending surface 28 (a “riser”) between tread 26 and interior surface 16, and an outer substantially radially extending surface 30 (another “riser”) between tread 26 and exterior surface 18.
  • the substantially radially extending surface 28 that is closer to interior surface 16 is hereinafter referred to as an “inner riser”.
  • the tread 26 may be generally flat in cross-section or curved, e.g., with the same radius as the interior surface 16 and/or the exterior surface 18.
  • the substantially radially extending surface 30 that is closer to exterior surface 18 is hereinafter referred to as an "outer riser”.
  • tread 26 positioned between a pair of risers 28, 30, is shown in the figures, it will be understood that additional treads, with the requisite additional risers, may be provided.
  • the treads and risers of stepped longitudinal free edges 20 extend substantially smoothly along longitudinal axis 32.
  • longitudinal free edges 20 of lap splice joint 22 have at least three substantially planar, transverse surfaces, each surface preferably being substantially perpendicular to its adjoining surface.
  • the surface of the lap joint on respective frame halves may be brought together and slid with respect to each other in the direction of axis 32 for alignment purposes and to relieve stress in the joint.
  • the stepping of one longitudinal free edge 20 extends from exterior surface 18 to interior surface 16 to form an exterior step 26a having a tread 26 facing interior surface 16
  • the stepping of the corresponding longitudinal free edge 20 extends from interior surface 16 to exterior surface 18 to form an interior step 26b having a tread 26 facing exterior surface 18.
  • stepped surface 20a faces interior surface 16
  • stepped surface 20b faces exterior surface 18.
  • interior facing tread 26a is followed by inner riser 28, whereas exterior facing tread 26b is followed by outer riser 30. Because the stepped longitudinal free edge 20a of at least one of the half-tubular elements of one half-frame extends inwardly and the stepped longitudinal free edge 20b of the corresponding half-tubular element in the other half- frame extends outwardly, longitudinal free edges 20a and 20b have corresponding, interengaging shapes.
  • Each of surfaces 26, 28, 30 is substantially smooth and planar in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, adjoining edges 20a, 20b of the frame halves 12, 14 that are to be joined together may slide along the longitudinal axis 32 of the respective half-tubular element from which the edges extend, so that alignment of the frame halves 12, 14 requires very little skill or effort. Thus, in order to form frame 10, frame halves 12, 14 may be joined relatively easily, without worrying about aligning elements such as pins, holes, tabs, and slots, such as in the prior art.
  • the exterior surfaces 18 of frame halves 12, 14 are substantially aligned and coextensive at lap splice joint 22, as may be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, to create a smooth frame exterior.
  • lap splice joint 22 may be formed to facilitate the flow of glue in the desired direction during connection of the frame halves 12, 14.
  • the innermost substantially radially extending surfaces of longitudinal free edges 20, in this instance inner risers 28, are preferably spaced apart when frame halves 12, 14 are coupled together. Such spacing is accomplished by forming abutting treads 26 (i.e., treads of corresponding longitudinal free edges 20 that are to be joined together) with different lengths.
  • the tread closest to the exterior surface 18 is longer than the tread closest to the interior surface 16, as shown in Fig. 3, so that a gap is formed between the inner risers 28.
  • exterior step 26a of frame half 12 is longer than interior step 26b of frame half 14, to thereby form an interior facing gap 34 between the inner substantial radially extending surfaces 28.
  • gap 34 opens to the interior of the tubular element 24 formed upon joining frame halves 12, 14.
  • the inner tread 26 (in this case, the tread 26 of interior step 26b of frame half 14, which, as described above, is closer to the interior of tubular element 24 and thus shorter than tread 26 of frame half 12), is chamfered at the intersection between tread 26 and riser 28.
  • Chamfer 36 functions to direct the flow of glue placed between abutting treads 26 towards gap 34, which, in turn, functions as a receptacle for excess glue as well as a conduit for directing glue towards the interior of the frame 10 such that excess glue does not affect the exterior appearance of frame 10.
  • Tongue and groove joint 40 is particularly useful at high stress areas in frame 10, such as at the upper longitudinal seam (i.e., upper joint) of down tube 42. Tongue and groove joint 40 is provided in the upper portion of tubular element 24 shown in Fig. 2, and is shown in further detail in Fig. 4. As may be seen in these figures, tongue and groove joint 40 is similar to lap splice joint 22 in that each of frame halves 12, 14 has at least one stepped area 26.
  • At least one of the frame halves 12, 14 has an additional stepped area 46 extending in a second direction so as to be substantially parallel to and facing the first stepped area 26 such that a groove 48 is formed therebetween.
  • the abutting longitudinal free edges 20 of frame halves 12, 14 of tongue and groove joint 40 have abutting inner substantially radially extending surfaces 28 and abutting outer substantially radially extending surfaces 30.
  • an additional inner substantially radially extending surface 50 must be provided along each longitudinal free edge 20.
  • Surfaces 28 and 30 abut, or at least face each other, upon joining corresponding half-tubular elements together.
  • exterior surfaces 18 of frame halves 12, 14 are substantially aligned and coextensive along tongue and groove joint 40.
  • Additional stepped area 46, additional inner substantially radially extending surface 50, and interior surface 16 form a wall that provides additional reinforcement for joint 40.
  • Tongue and groove joint 40 thus is particularly beneficial in high stress areas of the bicycle frame 10 because the additional stepped areas provide greater shear area over which the glue used to connect the frame halves may act.
  • assembly of frame halves 12, 14 with a tongue and groove joint 40 requires more care than that required to assemble lap splice joint 22, even if the latter joint has a plurality of steps (extending in generally the same direction).
  • the stay area 60 which includes the seat stay 62, and the chain stay 64.
  • the area of intersection of the right and left outer seat stay elements i.e., the respective seat stays of frame halves 12, 14
  • the right and left seat stay elements fork apart is prone to cracking because loads tend to separate the seat stays at the point where they are glued together.
  • additional reinforcement in the stay area 60 in general, is desirable.
  • a box 66 is provided in each of seat stay 62 and chain stay 64.
  • box 66 is formed from corresponding boxes 66a, 66b extending from the interior surface 16 of each of frame halves 12, 14. Corresponding boxes 66a, 66b are shaped so that one fits into the other to form an overlapping box structure 66, as shown in Fig. 5. Box 66 is shown in Fig. 1 as having a substantially square cross section, with a longitudinal axis 68 substantially perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axis 70, 72 of the stay 62, 64 from which box 66 extends. However, the cross section of box 66 may have any other desired shape.
  • the stay area 60 is reinforced such that a box 66 is not necessary because additional reinforcement is provided as shown in Figs. 5-8.
  • the additional reinforcement of the present invention not only reinforces the high stress stay areas, but also reduces, if not eliminates, cracking in this area.
  • the additional reinforcement is in the form of a substantially continuous reinforcement arch 80.
  • Reinforcement arch 80 is preferably formed from any sturdy material such as injection molded plastic, a plastic composite, fiberglass, carbon fiber, polyurethane, metal or a composite material having a resin or epoxy matrix reinforced with, for example, fiberglass or carbon fiber.
  • reinforcement arch 80 is shown positioned within the seat stay elements 62, as described in further detail below.
  • Seat stay 62 is particularly subject to excessive forces from the rear axle of the bicycle and thus benefits from the use of an additional reinforcement element such as a reinforcement arch 80 as formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • a similar reinforcement arch may be provided in chain stay 64 as well.
  • Seat stay 62 is formed from left and right outer seat stay elements 82, 84 which, respectively, are a part of left and right frame halves 12, 14, and left and right inner seat stay caps 86, 88.
  • Left and right outer seat stay elements 82, 84 extend from seat tube 83 of frame 10 (Fig. 1) and fork apart to accommodate a rear wheel of the bicycle formed from frame 10.
  • reinforcement arch 80 is then glued to interior surface 16 of outer seat stay elements 82, 84.
  • inner stay caps 86, 88 are glued to the other side of reinforcement arch 80 so that seat stay 62 with left and right stay legs 92, 94 is thereby assembled.
  • arch 80 it is not essential that arch 80 be glued to the interior surfaces of each half of the stay legs, as long as at least one half of each of the seat stay legs is glued to arch 80.
  • Arch 80 has left and right legs 96, 98 which extend into left and right seat stay legs 92, 94 to pick up loads in seat stay legs 92, 94 and absorb excess forces therein, thereby protecting the structural integrity of seat stay 62. Additionally, because arch 80 is glued to the interior surfaces 16 of each part of seat stay legs 92, 94 (i.e., left and right outer seat stay elements 82, 84 and left and right inner seat stay caps 86, 88), shear stresses are absorbed by the arch through the adhesive, and therefore are not passed to the seat stay parts and do not cause the parts to separate or crack. It is noted that the cross section of seat stay legs 92, 94 is not uniform, and typically decreases in size in the direction of the rear wheel axle 97. Additionally, the cross section of seat stay legs 92, 94 is not necessarily circular, but may be oval or square with rounded edges.
  • a modified, Y-shaped reinforcement arch 180 is shown in Fig. 6.
  • Y- shaped reinforcement arch 180 is similar to arch 80 in most respects, but further includes an extension 182 that extends into monostay 100 (the portion of seat stay 62 extending between seat stay legs 92, 94 and seat tube 83).
  • extension 182 may extend into the area of monostay 100 in which box 66 is provided. Accordingly, box 66 may be eliminated.
  • the left and right inner stay caps are formed as a single piece.
  • the seat stay 162 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a single-piece inner seat stay cap 110.
  • single-piece inner seat stay cap 110 is formed as a unitary, monolithic piece (e.g., by molding as a unit) such that there are no seams between the inner surfaces of left and right seat stay legs 192, 194.
  • single-piece inner seat stay cap 110 preferably further includes an extension 112 which fits within monostay 100 and functions as a reinforcement box similar to box 66. Extension 112 preferably has open sides 114, 116 which reduce the weight of the extension and also facilitate injection molding of the single-piece inner seat stay cap 110.
  • extension 112 preferably is formed as a single, unitary piece that is glued to the interior surfaces 16 of the portion of frame halves 12, 14 forming the monostay 100. Extension 112 thus absorbs forces in the seat stay area and reinforces the seat stay area sufficiently to eliminate box 66. Additionally, because extension 112 is formed as part of single-piece inner seat stay cap 110, extension 112 also reinforces single-piece inner seat stay cap 110 by absorbing forces transmitted thereto during riding of the bicycle formed with frame 10.
  • a single-piece inner stay may also be used in modified chain stay 164, as shown in Fig. 8, which extends from bottom bracket shell 165 (Fig. 1).
  • chain stay 164 has left and right stay legs 120, 122, each formed from an inner and an outer stay element.
  • left chain stay leg 120 is formed from a left outer chain stay element 124, formed as a part of left frame half 12, and a left inner chain stay cap 126.
  • right chain stay leg 122 is formed from a right outer chain stay element 128, formed as a part of right frame half 14, and a right inner chain stay cap 130.
  • left and right inner chain stay caps 126, 130 are preferably formed as a monolithic, unitary piece so that modified chain stay 164 has a single-piece inner chain stay cap 132. Accordingly, there is no seam between left and right inner chain stay caps 126, 130, and thus stresses in the area of chain stay 164 cannot cause cracking between left and right inner chain stay caps 126, 130.
  • single-piece inner chain stay cap 132 preferably includes an extension 134. Extension 134 is preferably formed with open sides 136, 138, which reduce the weight of the extension, and also facilitate injection molding of the single-piece inner chain stay cap 132.
  • Extension 134 reinforces the bonding line of the left and right frame halves 12, 14 in the area of the chain stay 164 such that a separate box 66 is no longer required.
  • extension 134 does not have any seam lines (i.e., is monolithic with single-piece inner chain stay cap 132) and thus reinforces the legs of chain stay cap 132, as described above with respect to single-piece inner seat stay cap 1 10.
  • stay area reinforcements provide a stronger connection of the stay legs than possible in the prior art. It is preferable to use, nonetheless, either a lap splice joint 22 or a tongue and groove joint 40 along the free edges of the stay elements to secure the connection between these elements, i.e., the connection between the outer stay elements and the inner stay caps.
  • reinforcement 74 may also be included, or substituted for, the joint 22 or 40 to further strengthen the connection of the frame halves in the stay area, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 9.
  • Reinforcement 74 shown in cross-section in Fig. 9, has pins or posts 74a which interlock with corresponding receptacles 74b.
  • each stay leg Preferably at least two posts 74a and corresponding receptacles 74b are provided on each stay leg, preferably approximately 1 in. (2.54 cm) from the end of the stay leg.
  • each of the inner and outer stay elements has at least two posts or receptacles.
  • each stay element may have a post and a receptacle, or two of the same reinforcement element (i.e., two posts or two receptacles), or more than two of either reinforcement element, the corresponding stay element having corresponding reinforcement elements.
  • reinforcement 74 may take on any other desired configuration that provides the desired reinforcement of the stay areas. However, reinforcement 74 may be eliminated and the same effect achieved with an external fastener or clamp located in the same general area.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé servant à assembler un cadre tubulaire, par exemple, un cadre de bicyclette, à partir de deux moitiés de cadre sensiblement symétriques, et mettant en application une pluralité d'élément semi-tubulaires reliés les uns aux autres. Chaque élément semi-tubulaire possède une surface extérieure, une surface intérieure et des bords longitudinaux s'étendant entre les surfaces extérieure et intérieure dans le sens de l'axe de la longueur de l'élément semi-tubulaire. Les surfaces des bords longitudinaux des éléments semi-tubulaires sont conçues de façon à pouvoir emboîter les bords correspondants d'éléments semi-tubulaires correspondants dans les demi-cadres gauche et droit et à régler ces bords le long des axes respectifs de la longueur des éléments semi-tubulaires en cours d'assemblage. Les bords libres longitudinaux sont, de préférence, échelonnés dans le sens radial, de sorte que chaque niveau est pratiquement plan et lisse le long de l'axe respectif de la longueur de l'élément semi-tubulaire. Le bord longitudinal d'un des éléments semi-tubulaires peut comprendre des échelons parallèles s'étendant dans des sens opposés, de manière à constituer une rainure dans laquelle peut être inséré un échelon du bord longitudinal correspondant de l'élément semi-tubulaire correspondant dans l'autre demi-cadre. Ce dernier type d'assemblage permet d'obtenir un renforcement supplémentaire de l'accouplement des demi-cadres. Un autre renforcement peut être réalisé dans la partie de soutien du cadre de la bicyclette, soit sous forme d'un arc de renforcement placé à l'intérieur des montants tubulaires des éléments de soutien, soit sous forme d'un élément unique de soutien intérieur monobloc placé entre les éléments extérieurs de soutien faisant partie des demi-cadres.
PCT/US1998/003304 1997-02-19 1998-02-19 Procede servant a assembler et a renforcer des cadres de bicyclette en plastique moule WO1998036959A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67569/98A AU6756998A (en) 1997-02-19 1998-02-19 Method of joining and reinforcing molded plastic bicycle frames

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/808,944 US6123353A (en) 1997-02-19 1997-02-19 Method of joining and reinforcing molded plastic bicycle frames
US808,944 1997-02-19

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WO1998036959A2 true WO1998036959A2 (fr) 1998-08-27
WO1998036959A3 WO1998036959A3 (fr) 1998-11-19

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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EP1519659B1 (fr) * 2002-07-08 2010-04-07 Panzenbock, Peter Dispositif de protection pour le buste servant a proteger des personnes contre un traumatisme par compression
ITTV20080132A1 (it) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-18 Cicli Pinarello S P A Telaio tubolare per biciclette, particolarmente con forma classica a diamante.
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EP2177426A1 (fr) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-21 Cicli Pinarello S.P.A. Cadre tubulaire pour vélos
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CN104527913A (zh) * 2014-11-28 2015-04-22 天津轮翼运动器材有限公司 一种中心线二次定位的雪地自行车
WO2016004776A1 (fr) * 2014-07-09 2016-01-14 黄启达 Structure de raccordement d'optimisation de raccord de tuyau métallique et procédé de mise en œuvre de celle-ci

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EP1519659B1 (fr) * 2002-07-08 2010-04-07 Panzenbock, Peter Dispositif de protection pour le buste servant a proteger des personnes contre un traumatisme par compression
ITTV20080132A1 (it) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-18 Cicli Pinarello S P A Telaio tubolare per biciclette, particolarmente con forma classica a diamante.
ITTV20080133A1 (it) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-18 Cicli Pinarello S P A Telaio tubolare per biciclette, particolarmente con forma classica a diamante.
EP2177426A1 (fr) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-21 Cicli Pinarello S.P.A. Cadre tubulaire pour vélos
JP2010095253A (ja) * 2008-10-17 2010-04-30 Cicli Pinarello Spa 特に標準的なダイヤモンド型を有する自転車用管状フレーム
WO2016004776A1 (fr) * 2014-07-09 2016-01-14 黄启达 Structure de raccordement d'optimisation de raccord de tuyau métallique et procédé de mise en œuvre de celle-ci
CN104477317A (zh) * 2014-11-28 2015-04-01 天津轮翼运动器材有限公司 一种提高运行平稳性的雪地自行车
CN104527913A (zh) * 2014-11-28 2015-04-22 天津轮翼运动器材有限公司 一种中心线二次定位的雪地自行车

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